Pressing machine



' June 23, 1936. 4 5 DAv|5 2,045,448

PRESSING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1930 INVQNTOR A TTORNEY5 June 23, 1936. E. DAVIS PRESSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I as A TTORNEYS Patented June 23, 1936' PATENT OFFICE PRESSING MACHINE Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y.. assignorto The Prosperity Company Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 1, 1930, Serial no. 472,333

15 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines such as garment or laundry presses.

The principal object of the invention to devise a safety-or control lock for the pressingv 5 machine operating mechanism which will not lock the control mechanism for the press in operated position until the pressing elements have come together, thus making it necessary for the operator to hold his hands on the operating manuals 10 until all danger of getting. a hand between the pressing elements or jaws is passed.

A further object of the invention is to devise locking means for locking the control mechanism for a pressing machine in operated position,

15 said 'locking means being operated by the stopping or substantial stopping air flow through one of the pressing elements. 4

, A further object of the invention is to provide" a novel buck construction having a padding 20 thereon which is particularly economical to build and well adapted for use with machines having air flow through the, buck. v

Another object is to provide a'pressing element or jaw with a current of air through the pad- 25 ding of the jaw and valve means which cut off the current of air upon the press jaws coming into contact.

Another object is to devise a pressing or ironing machine with a safety or control lock for the 30 operating mechanisn which is operated by the stopping of a current of air through the face oi one oi. the pressing elements or jaws, which also operates valve means to cut ofl the flow of air through the press jaw;

35 Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out and become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions here- 40 inafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is bad to the accompanying drawings'in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

45 Figure 1 is a side elevation oi'a pressing machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a view. mostly in section, showing press operating means and control means-and the connections between the control means.

50 My invention is designed primarily for use on pressing machines oi. the head and buck type having a movable pressing head l0 mounted on the yoke I] which is pivoted at I! to a back leg iii of a pressing machine frame l4. 'A fixed press- 55 ing element or buck I1 is supported on a neck I! mounted on'the pressing machine frame l4. The yoke I I is moved about its. pivotal connection l2 to move the pressing head l0 into and out of contact with the buck I! to close'and open the press.

The yokell is moved by actuating mechanism 5- including a link 20 pivoted at its upper end to the yoke II at 2|, and pivoted at its lower endat 22 to a bell crank lever 23 which is pivoted at 24 to the pressing machine frame I 4. A spring 25 connected at one end to the forwardly extending arm of the bell crank 23 and at its other end to the pressing machine l4 normally holds the press in open position.

A fluid motor 21 is oscillatively mounted at 28 on the pressing machine frame II. The fluid motor 21 includes a piston rod 30 pivotally connected at St to the forwardly extending arm of the bell crank 23. Operation or the fluid motor 21 moves the bell crank 23, against the tension of the spring 25, to straighten the toggle link iormed 'zo by the link and the upstanding arm of the bell. crank lever 23, thus nioving the yoke H to close the press. The mechanism, thus far described, is of the conventional type and forms no part oi. the present invention.

i The fluid motor 21 is controlled by the operator through fluid pressure control mechanismhaving push buttons 34 and 35. The push button 34 operates the valve in the valve casing 36.

The valve casing 36 includes a normallytopen exhaust valve 31 which is provided with a stem 38 extending through the end of the valve casing '36. This stem 38 is compressible-for reasons which will be explained later. A rocker arm 40,

pivotally mounted at 4| on a bracket extending y from the valve casing 36, operates the exhaust valve 31. A bell'crank lever 42, pivotally mounted at 43 on the pressing machine frame, transmits motion of the push button 34 to the rocker arm to operate the rocker arm 40 and through it 40 the valve 31.

' The roqker arm 40 may also be operated by a plunger 45 extending from fluid operated means in the diaphragm chamber 46. A diaphragm 41, mounted'in the diaphragm chamber 46, operates 45 the plunger 45 when pressure or a diflerence in' pressure is ap lied behind'the diaphragm 41. A spring 48 normally holds the plunger 44 and diaphragm 41 in retracted position.

A portion ofthe diaphragm chamber 48 com- 50 municates through a port with a valve chamber 50 having a valve 5i thereinwhich is connected by a stem 52 with the diaphragm 41. when the diaphragm 41 is in retracted position, the valve Iii will be open as shown in Figure 2 or the drawings. 55

A valve casing 55 contains a normally closed intake valve 56 and a normally open exhaust valve 51 which are joined together by a spacer rod 58 so that they operate as a unit. A spring 68 holds the valves 56 and 51 in their normal positions. The valve 51 is provided with a stem 68 over which is mounted a sleeve 6| having one end closed. A spring 63 is mounted in the sleeve 6| and bears at one end against the closed end of the sleeve and at the other end against the valve stem 68. The members 68, 6|, and 63 taken together comprise a compressible valve stem which is similar to the valve stem 38 of the exhaust valve 31. The purpose of having the valve stems compressible will be explained later. The valves 56 and 51 are operated by a rocker arm 65 which is pivoted at 66 to a bracket on the valve casing 55. A bell crank 61 transmits motion of the push button 35 to the rocker arm 65 to operate the rocker arm and through it the valves 56 and 51.

The rocker-arm 65 may also be operated by a plunger 18 projecting through the wall of a diaphragm chamber 1|. A diaphragm 12 located within the diaphragm chamber 1| operates the plunger 18 when a differencein pressure is applied or occurs behind the diaphragm 12. A spring 13 normally holds the plunger 18 and diaphragm 12 in retracted position. The dia-- phragm chamber 1| behind the diaphragm 12 communicates with a valve chamber 15 in which is mounted a valve 16 which is connected by a rod 11 with the diaphragm 12. The valve 16 controls the current of fluid through a conduit 6 connected with a conduit 1 extending to the pressing element or jaw 88. When the diaphragm '12 is in normal retracted position, the valve 16will be open as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings and when the diaphragm is in operated position, the valve 16 will be closed.

The fixed pressing element or buck includes a body portion 88 having an air blowing chamber 8| covered by a perforated plate 82. The periorated plate 82 is covered by shredded material such as steel wool 85. A marginal casing 85 passes under the edges of the shredded material around the sides of the buck and extends upwardly and inwardly a slight distance over the sides of the shredded material to hold the same against lateral displacement. The marginal casing 86 is composed of a material through which air cannot pass. The shredded material such as steel wool 88 and the marginal casing 86 are held on the buck by a cover 88 which passes over the shredded material and marginal casing and under the marginal edges of the body portion 88 of the buck. The covering 88 may be secured to the body portion '88 of the buck by suitable means such as a gathering cord 88 which draws the lower edges of the covering 88 inwardly to hold the cover tightly in place. 7

A relief valve 85 in a valve casing 86 is normally held closed by a spring 81. A handle 88 pivoted at 88 to the valve casing 86 is provided to open the valve 85 in order to permit the escape of air from the diaphragm chambers 46 and 1|.

The fluid motor 21 is of the conventional type having a cylinder I88 which contains a piston |'8| connected to the piston rod 38 which operates the press actuating mechanism in the manner previously described.

The diaphragm chambers 46 and 1| are adapted to be connected to a source of fluid flow and, in the embodiment shown herein, the diaphragm chambers and the buck I I are connected to a source of high pressure which is the same source as used for the power supply for the motor 21. Other sources of fluid or air flow, of course, may be utilized, but the preferred embodiment herein utilizes thepower supply because the control valves to the motor 21 may then be used to serve another function, namely, to control the air flow through the buck I1 as well as control the air flow to the motor. A separate source of air flow also need not be provided.

The operation of the machine is as follows:-

Working fluid, such as air, is supplied through a fluid supply line I85 to the valve casing 55. If

' the intake valve 56 is in its normally closed position, no air can pass through the valve casing 55. Operation of the push button 34 will be ineffective to supply air to the fluid motor 21 unless the push button 35 is also operated to open the intake valve 56.

When the push button 35 is actuated to operate the valves in the valve casing 55, air will flow from the fluid supply line I85, around the open intake valve 56, through the valve casing 55, and through a pipe I86 to the valve casing 36. A branch pipe I81 connects the pipe I86 with the fluid motor 21. If the exhaust valve 31 is open, air will escape from the pipe I86 through the valve casing 36 and open exhaust valve 31, and sufficient pressure will not build up in pipe I86 and branch pipe I81 to operate the fluid motor 21. If the push button 35 is actuated to close the valve 31, pressure will build up in the pipe I86 and branch pipe I81 and the piston |8| will be operated. Air in the valve casings 36-and 55 will flow through the conduits or ducts H8 and III respectively into the diaphragm chambers 46*and 1| respectively. As long as the pressing head I8 is not in contact with the buck I1 and air-flow through the buck I1 is not obstructed, air will pass from the diaphragm chambers 46 and 1| through the normally open valves or valve means 5| and 16 respectively and through the pipes I I5, I I6 respectively, pipe 1, air blowing chamber 8| and up through the buck. While the air is thus free to escape through the pipes -I I5, II6 from the diaphragm chambers 46 and 1| respectively, a suflicient difference 1h pressure will not occur or build up in these diaphragm casings to operate the plungers 45 and 18 against the springs 48 and 13.

When the pressing head I8 comes into contact with the buck I1, air-flow through the buck will be cut of! and a difference in pressure will build up in the diaphragm casings 46 and 1| and the diaphragms 41 and 12 will be moved to control the position of, or particularly to close, the valves 5| and 16 respectively, and to actuate the plungers 45 and 18 to lock the valves in their respective valve casings 86 and 65 in operated position. It is observed, therefore, that the movable jaw 18 serves also as a valve to out off the flow of air through the buck l1 and conduit 1, and other means may be provided if desired to serve this function. The press is thus locked in closed position and it is no longer necessary for the operator to hold the push buttons 34 and 35 in operated position. It will be apparent that the method of looking the valves, as above described, possesses advantages not found in the conventional system in which the piston in the motor cylinder uning valves which are locked by pressure from a port'opening, the locking may occur too soon if the operating links get out of adiustment or the padding on the pressing elements acquires a permanent set. A further disadvantage oflocking valves vwith pressure from a port opening is presented if the operating links get out of adjustment so that the piston cannot uncover the port when the work between the pressing elements is very thick. With the improved locking means of this invention, it is impossible for thevalves to be locked before-the pressing elements come together but when the movable pressing element comes in contact with the'work the valves will always look regardless of the thickness of the work.

It will be seen, therefore, that the movable jaw or head I0 provides-means creating an operat ing pressure in the conduits H5 and H6 which actuates the pressure responsive means 41 and I2 to hold the control means or valves 61 and 56, 51 in their operated position. The diaphragms 41 and I2 may be described as having the function of controlling the position of the valves 31 and 56, 51. The actuation of the diaphragms 41 and 12 also actuates, or particularly closes,'the valve means 5| and I6.

When the operator" wishes to open the press, he may do so by operating the handle 96 which opens the exhaust valve 95 in the valve casing 96. Air is then free to escape from the diaphragm chambers 46 and II through the pipes I20 and I2I, pipe I22,- and valve casing 06. The pipes I20 and I2I and the pipe I22 are of larger cross-sectional area than the conduits or fluid connections H0 and III so that air will escape vfrom the diaphragm chambers 46 and II faster than it can be supplied through the conduits H0 and II I. As the airpressure in .the diaphragm chambers 46 and II becomes less the springs 46 and I3 will restore the plungers 45 and I0 respectively to their normal retracted positions and the valves in the valve casings 66 and 65 willbe free to return to normal position.

When the exhaust valves 31 and 51 return to open position air in the fluid motor 21 will exhaust through the pipe I01, pipe I06 and valve casings 36 and 55. When the pressure in the fluid motor 21 is. thus reduced, the spring 25 will move the press actuating mechanism to open the press as previously described.

It should be noted that when the diaphragms 41 and'I2 operate to lock the valves in the valve casings 36 and in operated position the valves 5| and I6 will be moved into closed position to completely out off all air-flow to the buck. The

diaphragm's I2 and 41 have therefore a double function, namely, to hold the valves 56, 51 and valve 31, respectively, in operated position, and

also to close the valve I6 and valve' 5|, respectively. The operation of the valves I6 and SI comprises a separate function for the pressure responsive means represented by the diaphragms,

- irrespective of the control of and the locking in operated position of the valves for another function, namely, the control of the motor means.

The dia'phragms or pressure responsive means 41 and I2 operate as a consequence of a diiTer-.

ence of fluid pressure in their respective chamber 46 and". When the pressing elements or 'aws I0 and I1 are separated, there is a free flow of fluid or air through the pressingjawand as a consequence the fluid pressure in the conduits H 6 and II! and the diaphragm chambers 46 and II is substantially that. of the outer air if the frictional pressure drop through the conduits and buck is not considered. Now when the head I0 contacts with the buck II, the free flow of fluid or air through-the buck is materially reduced which brings about a material change or produces a distinct difference in the fluid pressiu'e in the conduits 6- and Ill and the diaphragm chambers 46 and 'II when the pressing elements I 0 and I1 are in contact and when they are separated. The diaphragms 41 and I2 are sensitive to this difference or -variation of pressure in'their respective diaphragm chambers and are moved thereby to lock the control valves 31 and'66, 61 in operated, position.

The diaphragm 41 holds the valves ,31 and 6| in closed position. The stems ofthese valves may be of such length that both' valves will seat at exactly the same time. Even if such were the case however, it would be likely that one valve seat would wear more than the other so that the other valve would not make contact, or make contact too lightly to completely stop the flow of working fluid. To overcome this difliculty, the valve stem 36 is made resilient as shown in the drawings. As the diaphragm 41 is operated by fluid.pressure it will move the valve 31 intocontact with its seat before the valve 5| closes. Due to the resilient stem 38 the diaphragm 41 may continue to move, compressing the resilient stem 36, until the valve 5| is seated and the flow of working fluid to [the pipe II5 cut oil. In similar manner the valve stem of the valve 51 is made resilient in the manner previously described.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, various changes-and modifications may be made without to one of the pressing elements for escape through the face of said pressing element; means connected with the conduit for locking the control means in operated position so that said'locking means will be operated by pressure built up in the conduit when the flow of fluid through the face of the pressing element is retarded as the pressing elements come into contact with each other.

'2. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work; said pressing elements having faces opposed to each other and coming in contact when the "press is closed operating mechanism to open and close the press; control means operable to supply working fluid to the operating mechanism to close the press; means normally holding the control means in position to prevent the flow of working fluid to the operating mechanism; operator-operated means to move the control means into operated position to supply working fluid to the operating mechanism; means topass a current of air through the face of one of the pressing elements, including a conduit; means connected with the conduit for locking the control means in operated position so that said locking means will be operated by 75 the change in pressure in the conduit when the current ,of air through the face of the pressing element is substantially prevented as the faces of the pressing elements come in contact.

3. In a. pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work; said pressing elements having faces opposed to each other and coming in contact when the press is closed; operating mechanism to open and close the press; means to provide air-flow through the face of one of the pressing elements, including a. conduit, common control means operable to supply working fluid to 'the operating mechanism to close the press and to supply air for air-flow through said face of one of the pressing elements; means-connected with the conduit for locking the control means in operated position, said means being operable by the pressure built up in the conduit when the air flow through the face of the pressing element is retarded by the contacting of the faces of the pressing elements.

4. In a pressing machine in combination a buck; a head movable toward and from the buck; actuating mechanism' for the head; operating mechanism for the actuating mechanism, including fluid motor means; means to provide air flow through the face of the buck, including an air conduit normally closed valves for controlling the supply of working fluid to the motor means; operator-operated means for moving the valves into operated position to supply working fluid to the motor means and to supply air-flow to the buck; means connected with the air-flow conduit for locking the valves in operated position, said means being operable by pressure built up in the air-flow conduit when the air-flow through the buck is retarded by the face of the press head coming in contact with the face of the buck.

5. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work; operating mechanism to open and close the press; a conduit for supplying fluid to one of the pressing elements for escape through the perforated face thereof; and means connected with the conduit for locking the operating mechanism so that said locking means will i be operated by the pressure built up in the conduit when said flow of fluid through the perforated pressing element is substantially cut off by reason of the closing engagement of said elements.

6. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work, operating mechanism to open and close the press, a conduit for supplying fluid to one of the pressing elements for escape through the face of said pressing element," normally closed valve means connected to a of fluid supply for admitting fluid to the conduit, a normally open valve in the conduit, and pressure responsive means connected with the conduit and closing the normally open valve means by pressure in the conduit when the flow of fluid through the face of the pressing element is re tarded as the other pressing element contacts therewith.

'7. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work, operating mechanism to open and close the press, including fluid motor means, a conduit for supply fluid to one of the pressing elements for escape through h face of said presstherewith.

- and close the press, control means movable to sure responsive means connected with the conduit and closing the normally open valve means by pressure in the conduit when the flow of fluid through the face of the pressing element is retarded as the other pressing element contacts 8. In a pressing machine in combination cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work, operatingmechanism to open and close the press, control means operable to supply working fluid to the operating mechanism to close the press, a conduit for'supplying fluid to one of the pressing elements for escape through the face of said pressing element, means connected with the conduit for locking the control means in operated position so that said locking means will be operated by pressure built up in the conduit when the flow of fluid through the face of the pressing element is retarded as the other pressing element contacts therewith, and a normally open valve in the conduit operated by the locking means to close the conduit to the passage of fluid when the movable pressing element contacts with the other pressing element.

9. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work, operating mechanism to open and close the press, control means movable to operated position to effect the flow of working fluid to the operating mechanism to close the press, a conduit connected to one of the pressing 3 elements for fluid flow through the face of' the pressing element which flow is restricted when the pressing elements engage and adapted to be connected to a source of fluid flow, a pressure responsive means connected-with the conduit and controlled by'the difference in pressure in the latter when the pressing elements are in open and closed position, and means operatively connecting the pressure responsive means to the control means to lock the latter in operated position.

10. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements adapted to open and close on the work, operating mechanism to open operated position to effect the flow of working fluid to the operating mechanism to close the press, a conduit connected to one of the pressing elements for fluid flow through the. face of the pressing element which flow is restricted when the pressing elements engage and adapted to be connected to a source of fluid flow, the control means 7 also controlling the flow of fluid in the conduit, a pressure; -;responsive means connected with the conduit an? controlled by the difference in pressure in the letter when thepressing elements are in open and closed position, and means operatively connecting the pressure responsive means to the control means to lock the latter in operated position. 65

operated position to effect the flow of working fluid tothe operating mechanism to close the press, a conduit connected to one of the pressing elements for fluid flow through the face of the pressing element which flow is restricted when the pressing elements engage and adapted to 7 be connected to a source of fluid flow, a pressure responsive means connected with the conduit and controlled by the diflerence in pressure in the latter when the pressing elements are in open and closed position, and valve means operatively connected to the pressure responsive means and controlling the flow of fluid in the conduit to prevent the flow of fluid when the pressing elements contact with each other.

12. A fluid pressure control mechanism comprising valve means having an inlet and an outlet, means co-nnected with the valve means to initially-operate the same, fluid pressure operated means connected with the valve means to hold the same in operated position, a port in communication with the fluid pressure operated means and adapted to be connected through the inlet of the valve means with a source providing a flow of fluid, a. second port in the fluid operated means through which fluid passesand adapted to be connected with means which restricts the flow therethrough to control the fluid pressure operated means, a normally open valve also controlling the second port and connected with the fluid operated means so that the actuation of the latter closes the valve, and means to restore the valve means and the valve controlling the second port to their initial positions.

13. A fluid pressure control mechanism comprising valve means including a valve chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a normally closed intake valve within the chamber controlling the inlet, and means to initially operate the intake valve; fluid pressure operated means connected with the intake valve to hold the same in open position; a port of the-fluid pressure operated means through which fluid pressure passes and adapted to be connected with means which restricts the flow therethro-ugh to control the latter; a normally open valve controlling the port to initially open the intake valve and close the o and connected with the fluid pressure operated v means so that actuation of the latter closes the valve; a fluid connection between the fluid pressure operated means and the valve chamber; and means to restore the normally closed intake valve and the normally open valve to their initial positions.

14. A fluid pressure control mechanism comprising valve means including a normally open exhaust valve which opens upon release of pressure of the pressure operated means and the initial closing means, a valve chamber having an inlet and outlet, and means to initially close the exhaust valve; fluid pressure-operated means connected with the exhaust valve to hold the same closed; a port in the fluid pressure operated means through which fluid pressure passes and adapted to be connected with means which retricts the flow therethrough to control the latter; a normally open valve controlling the port and connected with'the fluid pressure operated means so that actuation of the latter closes the valve;

a fluid connection from the fluidpressure operated means to the inlet, and means to restore the normally open valve controlling the port to initial position.

'15. A fluid pressure control mechanism comprising valve means including a normally open exhaust valve, an intake valve normally closing an inlet port and operatively connected with the exhaust valve, a valve chamber between the exhaust and intake valves, an outlet port from the chamber, and means to operate the valves exhaust valve"; fluid pressure operated means connected with the valve means to hold the same in operated position; a port in the fluid pressure operated means through which fluid. pressure passes and adapted to-be connected with means which restrictsthe flow therethrough to control the fluid pressure operated means; a normally open valve controlling the port and connected with the fluid pressure operated means so that actuation of the latter closes the valve; a fluid connection between the fluid pressure operated means and the valve chamber; and means to restore the normally open exhaust valve, the normally closed intake valve and the valve controlling the port in the fluid pressure means to their initial positions.

- ERNEST DAVIS. 

